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Academic Writing and Error
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- 2. Research and TechnicalCommunication Academic Writing & Errors Dr.Amit Purushottam Carcs.in(6299893489)
- 3. FEATURES OF ACADEMICWRITING AT FIRST SIGHT 1. The use of sources 2. Quotations 3. vocabulary characteristic of a specific field 4. Formal language and format a. Cautious use of Vocabulary b. impersonal c. Passive d. Logical Structures / clear Layout e. absence of features of spoken language carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 4. Academic writing is: Formal (impersonal, no slang, formal sentence structure) Reasoned (critical thinking: how and why) Impartial (gives a balanced point of view, more than one point of view) Logical (ideas flow logically from one to another: signposts, topic sentences and linked paragraphs) Structured (keeps to the structure of an essay, report etc) Supported (evidence and examples, referencing) carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 5. • Formality This PieceOf Writing The Present Study (=This Study) My essay will Make It Clear The Present Paper Will Clarify • Impersonality Many Of My Friends And Colleagues Say That… It Is Commonly Said That… I, You, My Friend Dave The Present Study/Author, One, Professor Robertson/Robertson (1992) Some Elaboration Of The Matter Of Facts Of Academic Writing: carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 6. • Precision pets likecats, dogs, etc. pets, such as cats and dogs, around half of the group approximately 53% of the group • Caution Our study proves that This study shows that I’m sure this is so. There is reason to believe that this is so. We really couldn’t make anything of the results. There were difficulties in analyzing the results. •Objectivity I think that this idea sucks. This idea may not be accurate. In my opinion this is a wonderful topic. This topic is worth investigating because…. carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 7. Academic Writing AndCritical Thinking • Assessment of the relationship between claims and the evidence given to support them • Exercising judgement in order to interpret and evaluate arguments and evidence • Questioning taken for granted assumptions • Involves both openness to new ideas and appropriate scepticism PRACTICAL ASPECTS: • What is really important here? • How does it relate to what I know already? • What standpoint does the writer have? • Are there any weaknesses in the argument that is being put forward? • What other opinions are there on this topic? • Do I agree or disagree with the writer? carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 8. Bad Habits toAvoid in Academic Writing • Second person “you” • Inconsistent person • Inconsistent tense • Abbreviations • Do not use: ya, thru, wanna, gonna • Do not use: etc., & • Avoid ending verbs with “en” or “in” instead of “ing”: waitin, watchen carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 9. Some writing pitfallsto avoid 1.Avoid addressing the reader directly or using questions • For example: “Does this mean that some strategies are better than others?” 2. Use formal – impersonal passive voice • When i used the solution, i see the level rising > when the solution was used, the level was seen rising a) Passive voice without ‘By’ b) No use of i, we, our, you c) instruments use – no ‘by’ ; but ‘with’ (with hammer) carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 10. 3. TRY NOTTO MAKE GENERALIZATIONS. For example: "Everyone agrees that cold calling does not produce results". While this may be true you can only make such statements if supported with evidence. Instead: • "According to the Mori Report (2000), cold calling does not produce results. carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 11. 4. OVERLY-LONG SENTENCES •A sentence should express only one idea or a clearly connected set of ideas. • Home care has been expanding tremendously over the past few years partly due to recent technological advances that enable assessments and treatments to be a part of the home setting which at one time could only be performed within the hospital environment. - X • Home care has expanded tremendously over the past few years. This increase is partly due to recent technological advances that now make more assessments and treatments possible in the home rather than only in the hospital. - OK . carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 12. 5. WORDINESS -use the minimum number of words. • Check your writing to make sure you don’t have unnecessary words or phrases. You may often find that there are a number of Words contained in your writing that can be safely eliminated without any kind of danger to your meaning whatsoever. X You may often find that there are a number of words contained in your writing that can be safely eliminated without any kind of danger to your meaning whatsoever. (Beer & McMurrey 34) carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 13. MORE • Basically, industrialproductivity generally relies on particular factors that are actually more psychological in kind than of any given technological type. - X • Industrial productivity depends more on psychological than on technological factors. - carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 14. 6. Be carefulnot to use redundant phrases For example: • Alternative choices – alternatives • Actual experience - experience • ‘Various differences” (Various implies difference so you do not need both words) • The whole entire world (Same as above) • A round circle • Refer back • An eyewitness present at the scene • The whole entire world 7. Avoid starting sentences with linking words • Such as but, and or yet. • for, and, nor, but, or, yet, socarcs.in(copyright protected)
- 15. 8. AVOID THEREIS & THERE ARE These expressions (the existential construction) can be rhetorically effective for emphasis in some situations, but they are also often unnecessary in academic contexts. WHERE TO AVOID (NOT EVERYWHERE) The most common kind of unnecessary existential construction involves an existential phrase followed by a noun and a relative clause beginning with that, which, or who. A more concise sentence can often be created by eliminating the existential opening, making the noun the subject of the sentence, and eliminating the relative pronouncarcs.in(copyright protected)
- 16. A. It isthe president who signs or vetoes laws. There are four criteria that should be considered: ... > the president signs or vetoes bills. Four criteria should be considered:... B. There was uncertainty about the reasons for the financial problems. > The reasons for the financial problems were uncertain EXAMPLES. carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 17. 9. Must Avoidexpressions like these… (never used in academic writing) kind of sort of type of really basically quite simple very good sample one important thing definitely actually generally individual specific particularly OK / Okay carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 18. More …………. • Thereare no such words as: theirself, hisself, alright. Write themselves, himself, all right. • Do not capitalize subjects like biology, math, science, history. • Use the word “finish” instead of “done” carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 19. 10.Avoid colloquial forformal (common use - selected) COLLOQUIAL FORMAL Ask for Request Find out Discover Deal with Handle Checked out Investigated/ studied Put up with Tolerated Kids children OK All right/ acceptable A lot Many / much carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 20. 11. Other MechanicalRules • Numbers – Never begin a sentence with a number.(Spell it out.) • All numbers below 100 should be spelled out. Those above 100 are optional but should be consistent. carcs.in(copyright protected)
- 21. FINAL CAUTIONS • Donot write the way you speak. • Do not use slang. • Do not expect your reader to know what you mean. • Do not write in fragments. • Use complete sentences. • Always use Standard Written English (SWE) carcs.in(copyright protected)
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Editor's Notes
- #13 Better example – marg’s